Physiological Signal Detection Module, Multi-Channel Connector Module and Physiological Signal Detection Apparatus Using the Same

ABSTRACT

Provided is a physiological signal detection module which has a heating member and a multi-channel connector. The heating member maintains an electrode&#39;s contact with a user skin at a constant temperature, and the multi-channel connector module for electrical connection transmits the physiological signal to an external physiological signal detection apparatus. It is possible to prevent the skin from being directly contacted with the electrode in the cold state and have a less impact given by a change of the impedance due to a skin temperature based on the change of the season and external temperature, so that the stable physiological signal can be detected without distortion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 2004-46613, filed on Jun. 22, 2004, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a physiological signal detectionmodule, a multi-channel connector module and a physiological signaldetection apparatus using the same, capable of detecting a stablephysiological signal without distortion. The physiological signaldetection module has a heating member and a multi-channel connector. Theheating member maintains an electrode's contact with a user skin at aconstant temperature, and the multi-channel connector module forelectrical connection transmits the physiological signal, which isdetected from the electrode, to an external physiological signaldetection apparatus.

2. Discussion of Related Art

In general, an electrode is attached to a user skin of a subject tomeasure a physiological signal. A typical electrode is a disposableelectrode, e.g., a wet electrode. To reduce impedance between the userskin and the electrode, a conductive gel is applied to the metallicelectrode, thereby facilitating converting ion current flowing in aliving body into an electric current.

However, the disposable electrode using the conductive gel incurs a skintrouble such as a reddish skin and stinging pain, when used for along-time measurement. Therefore, it is somewhat difficult to use thedisposable electrode in the portable physiological detection apparatusthat monitors the physiological signals for a long-time.

Accordingly, there has been proposed a method of using a dry electroderather than the conductive gel, which is suitable to measure thephysiological signal for a relatively long time. The dry electrode usesa conductive polymer or metal having good conductivity. However, thereare problems in that the physiological signal is distorted due todifference of impedance between the user skin and the dry electrode, andit is possible to get the stable physiological signal only after apredetermined time elapses from when the dry electrode is attached tothe user skin.

To solve the afore-mentioned problems, a method of placing a buffer asclose as possible to the dry electrode to match the impedance wasproposed. Conventionally, the buffer is placed at a connector portion ofthe dry electrode, and a power is connected to the physiological signaldetection apparatus using an independent cable. This is referred to asan active electrode. However, the active electrode has problems in thatits connector should be designed such that the power can be suppliedfrom the physiological signal detection apparatus to the activeelectrode through the connector. To solve the afore-mentioned problems,several technologies have been proposed. For instance, U.S. Pat. No.4,865,039 entitled to “Dry electrode system for detection ofbiopotentials and dry electrode making electrical and mechanicalconnection to a living body” discloses a system in which the connectorincludes a circuit for amplifying physiological signals and a batterypack for supplying power to an amplification circuit is mounted to theconnector connected with the measurement apparatus.

However, in the foregoing conventional technology, the battery pack forsupplying power is required for each of the dry electrodes, so that themulti-channel system becomes complicated and expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a physiological signal detectionmodule comprising an electrode housing to which an electrode contactinga user skin is detachably connected and which has a printed circuitboard (PCB) mounted with various circuits for matching impedance betweenthe electrode and the user skin; and a heating member interposed betweenthe electrode and the electrode housing to increase the temperature ofthe electrode to a certain degree.

The present invention is also directed to a multi-channel connectormodule that connects the physiological signals, detected from theelectrode that is in contact with the user skin, into one body totransmit to an external physiological signal detection apparatus andhaving a power supply unit for supplying power to detect variousphysiological signals. One aspect of the present invention is to providea physiological signal detection module including: an electrode incontact with a user skin to detect various physiological signals; anelectrode housing detachably connected to the electrode and having aprinted circuit board (PCB) mounted with various circuit for matchingimpedance between the skin and the electrode; and a heating memberinterposed between the electrode and the electrode housing, and beingsupplied with an external power to increase the temperature of theelectrode to a certain degree.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a multi-channelconnector module including: a connector housing that forms a whole body;a plurality of connectors for electrical connection to transmit variousphysiological signals to an external physiological detection apparatus,wherein a portion of the connector is exposed on one side of theconnector housing; and a power supply unit for supplying power to theexternal physiological signal detection module, wherein the power supplyunit is arranged inside the connector housing and electrically connectedto the connector to detect the various physiological signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention will be describedin reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof with reference tothe attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining a physiological signaldetection apparatus including a physiological signal detection moduleand a multi-channel connector module according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a disassembled perspective view for specifically explaining aphysiological signal detection module according to an embodiment of thepresent invention in more detail;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view for specifically explaining a multi-channelconnector module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram for explaining a physiological signaldetection apparatus including a physiological signal detection moduleand a multi-channel connector module according to an embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement of aphysiological signal detection apparatus including a physiologicalsignal detection module and a multi-channel connector module accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be describedmore fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. This inventionmay, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construedas limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining a physiological signaldetection apparatus including a physiological signal detection moduleand a multi-channel connector module according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

Referring to FIG. 1, a physiological signal detection apparatus 300according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a pluralityof physiological signal detection modules for detectingelectrocardiogram (ECG), electrodermal activity (EDA), body fat, andrespiration via electrodes 140 contacting with a user skin. Further, thephysiological signal detection apparatus 300 includes a multi-channelconnector module 200 for electrical connection to transmit variousphysiological signals detected from a plurality of the electrodes 140 toan external physiological signal detection apparatus 400 (in FIG. 6).The plurality of physiological detection modules 100 and themulti-channel connector module 200 can be electrically and detachablyconnected.

Here, it is desirable that the physiological signal detection modules100 and the multi-channel connector module 200 be electrically anddetachably connected to a connector 210 of the multi-channel connectormodule 200 using connection jacks 160. The connection jacks 160 arearranged at ends of the cables 150.

FIG. 2 is a disassembled perspective view for specifically explaining aphysiological signal detection module, and FIG. 3 is a vertical crosssectional view of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the physiological signal detection moduleincludes an electrode housing 110, a heating member 120, an insulatingmember 130 and an electrode 140.

Here, the electrode housing 110 is provided as a whole body in a flatcircular pattern, and a printed circuit board mounted with variouscircuits (e.g., buffer and amplification circuit, etc.) for matchingimpedance between the electrode 140 and the skin is arranged inside theelectrode housing 110. At the center of the bottom of the electrodehousing 110, a circular coupling groove 112 is formed, and a fixing cap113 is fixedly connected to cover all over the coupling groove 112.

Here, the fixing cap 113 has the same pattern as the coupling groove112, and is preferably made of metal having good conductivity (e.g., Cu,Ag, Pt) such that the coupling protrusion unit 145 of the electrode 140is fixedly connected to transmit various physiological signals detectedfrom the electrode 140 to the outside.

In addition, one side of the electrode housing 110 is electricallyconnected to the printed circuit board 111, and the end of the electrodehousing 110 is connected to a cable 150 of the predetermined lengthhaving a connection jack 160 (in FIG. 1).

The electrode is formed in a flat circular pattern, and on top of it,the circular coupling protrusion unit 145 are protruded in one body tobe fixedly inserted into the fixing cap 113 of the electrode housing110.

In addition, the electrode 140, which is fixedly connected to the bottomof the electrode housing 110 and detects various physiological signalsby directly contacting with the user skin, is preferable made of a dryelectrode formed with metal having good conductivity (e.g., Ti, Au, Ptand Ag/AgCl).

Further, the heating member 120 is arranged between the electrodehousing 110 and the electrode 140, and heats the electrode 140 up to acertain temperature (e.g., about 34 to 36.5° C.). According as theelectrode 140 is heated by the heating member 120, the electrode 140 ina cold state is prevented from being directly contacted with the userskin, and the physiological signals become more stable than those fromthe conventional electrode.

The heating member 120 is made of a two-dimensional (e.g., a circularplane or film) resistor, and a (+) power connection electrode 112 a anda ground power connection electrode 121 b are electrically connected toboth planes, respectively, to generate a uniform heat. A (+) powerconnection line 122 a and a ground power connection line 122 b areelectrically connected to ends of the (+) power connection electrode 112a and the ground power connection electrode 121 b, respectively, toreceive external power via the printed circuit board 111. At the centerof the heating member 120, an opening is formed through which thecoupling protrusion unit 145 is penetrated. In addition, the diameter ofthe opening 123 is formed larger than that of the coupling protrusionunit 145 so as not to contact with the coupling protrusion unit 145 ofthe electrode 140.

While the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is describedwith reference to the two-dimensional resistor, the present invention isnot limited hereto, and there may be provided with a typicalone-dimensional resistor.

In addition, an insulating member 130 is further arranged between theheating member 120 and the electrode 140 to prevent a current flowinginto the heating member 120 from flowing into the user skin via theelectrode 140.

The insulating member 130 is made of an insulating paper in a flatcircular pattern. At the center of the insulating member 130, an opening135 is formed through which the coupling protrusion unit 145 of theelectrode 140 is penetrated. It is desirable that the diameter of theopening 135 is formed larger than that of the coupling protrusion unit145 so as not to contact with the coupling protrusion unit 145 of theelectrode 140.

While the insulating member 130 applied to the embodiment of the presentinvention is preferably made of the thin insulating paper, the presentinvention is not limited hereto and an insulating such as plastic,rubber, glass and lumber may also be used.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view for specifically explaining a multi-channelconnector module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the multi-channel connector module 200 according toan embodiment of the present invention includes a connector housing 210,a plurality of connectors 220 and a power supply unit 230. Here, theconnector housing 210 is provided as a whole body in a flat ellipticalfunnel-like shape. A cable 215 having a predetermined length andelectrically connected to an external physiological signal detectionapparatus 400 (in FIG. 6) is connected to the bottom of the connectorhousing 210.

A plurality of connectors 220, provided inside the connector housing 210and used to electrically connect with the connection jack 160 (in FIG.1), are arranged at a constant interval such that a portion of theconnector is exposed on the top of the connector housing 210.

In addition, the connector 220 is split by an insulating material into 4parts, i.e., a (−) power connection unit 220 a, a (+) power connectionunit 220 b, a ground power connection unit 220 c and a signal connectionunit 220 d. The power supply unit 230 electrically connected to theconnector 220 is arranged inside the connector housing 210, serving tosupply power to the physiological signal detection modules 100 (inFIG. 1) so that various physiological signals can be detected.

The power supply unit may be a secondary battery, which is, for example,a rechargeable battery, so that additional protection circuit is notrequired. In addition, the power supply unit is preferably implementedwith a plurality of Li-polymer batteries connected in series, which canbe fabricated in a thin film and used for a long time in a small volumeand light weight without memory effect.

In addition, the (+) power of the power supply unit 230 is connected tothe (+) power connection unit 220 b of the connector 220, and the (−)power of the power supply unit 230 is connected to the (−) powerconnection unit 220 a, respectively. Further, a series connection iselectrically connected to the ground power connection unit 220 c of theconnector 220. Further, one side of the connector housing has a statedisplay unit (e.g., LED) 240 for checking charging state of the batteryand a power supply connector 250 for connecting the battery to theexternal power to supplement power shortage of the battery.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention there exist6 channels, i.e., 6 electrodes 140, where the cable 215 connected to theexternal physiological signal detection apparatus 400 (in FIG. 6)includes 6 signal lines and one ground line.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram for explaining a physiological signaldetection apparatus including a physiological signal detection moduleand a multi-channel connector module according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, an electrode 140 (in FIG. 2) and an OP-AMP 111 afor matching the impedance of skin are mounted on a printed circuitboard 111 of the physiological signal detection module 100.

For the OP-AMP 111 a, a non-inverting input terminal c is connected to afixing cap 113 of the electrode housing 110 (in FIG. 2), and aninverting input terminal b is connected to an output terminal a, and theoutput terminal a is further connected to the signal connection unit 220d of the connector 220 (in FIG. 4) via the cable 150.

In addition, the (+) power supply of the battery constituting the powersupply unit 230 is connected to the (+) power connection unit 220 b (inFIG. 4) of the connector 220, so that it is connected to the powersupply terminal e of the OP-AMP 111 a and the one end of the heatingmember 120, i.e., the (+) power supply connection electrode 121 a (inFIG. 3) and the (+) power supply connection line 122 a, via the cable150. Further, the (−) power supply of the battery is connected to the(−) power supply connection unit 220 a of the connector 220 (in FIG. 4)so that it is connected to the reference terminal d of the OP-AMP 111 avia the cable 150.

Further, the other end of the heating member 120, i.e., the ground powerconnection electrode 121 b (in FIG. 3) and the ground power connectionline 122 b are grounded to the ground power connection unit 220 c (inFIG. 4) of the connector 220 via the cable 150. Here, the cable 150 canuse a ground line as a shielding wire.

According to a physiological signal detection apparatus including thephysiological signal detection module 100 and a multi-channel connectormodule 200 of the present invention described above, a variety ofphysiological signals detected from the electrodes 140 are transmittedto the non-inverting input terminal c of the OP-AMP 111 a via thecoupling protrusion unit 145 (in FIG. 2) and the fixing cap 113. Thephysiological signals outputted through the OP-AMP 111 a are transmittedto the multi-channel connector module 200 via the cable 150 and providedto the external physiological signal detection apparatus 400 (in FIG.6). Further, the OP-AMP 111 a and the heating member 120 receive powerform the power supply unit 230 of the multi-channel connector module200.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement of aphysiological signal detection apparatus including a physiologicalsignal detection module and a multi-channel connector module accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, a plurality of physiological signal detectionmodules 100 are attached to the proper positions on the shirts-typeclothing 500 to make the electrodes 140 contact with the skin, and thecables 150 are stretched out of the physiological signal detectionmodules 100 to clothing 500 through a plurality of penetration holes 550to be connected to the multi-channel connector module 200. Here, to makethe cables 150 unnoticeable, a portion of clothing 500 can be suppliedin double covers so that the cables 150 can be located between the innercover and the outer cover.

In addition, the cable 215 of the multi-channel connector module 200 iselectrically connected to the physiological signal detection apparatus400 inserted into, for example, pockets (not shown) provided at theproper positions of the clothing 500.

Further, the physiological signal detection apparatus 400 performsamplification, processing, storage and transmission of variousphysiological signals detected from respective physiological signaldetection modules 100. The physiological signal can be transmitted tothe computer using a serial communication, or a real-time wirelesstransmission such as a Bluetooth, ZigBee or the like. Alternatively, thephysiological signal can be transmitted to a remote place via anapparatus using a cellular phone module, for example, a personal digitalassistant (PDA).

While, in the physiological signal detection module 100 applied to thepresent invention, the electrode housing 110, the heating member 120,the insulating member 130 and the electrode 140 are provided in a flatcircular shape, the present invention is not limited hereto and variousshapes such as triangle, rectangular, and polygons may be providedherein.

As illustrated above, the present invention provides a physiologicalsignal detection module, a multi-channel connector module and aphysiological signal detection apparatus using the same, capable ofdetecting a stable physiological signal without distortion. Through thepresent invention, it is possible to prevent the skin from directlycontacting with the electrode in a cold state and to have a less impactgiven by change of the impedance due to a skin temperature based on thechange of the season and external temperature. Thus, the stablephysiological signals can be detected without distortion. In addition, acommonly used snap-type disposable electrode as well as a dry electrodecan be used in the present invention, and the general-purposephysiological signal detection apparatus can be simply connected. Thus,there are no additional required costs.

While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention directed to thephysiological signal detection module, the multi-channel connectormodule and the physiological signal detection apparatus using the samehave been described with reference to the detailed description and theattached drawings, these embodiments are illustrative only, but not forlimiting the scope of the present invention claimed in the followingclaims. Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that avariety of modifications and the equivalents thereof can be made. Thus,the scope of the present invention should be defined by the appendedclaims.

1. A multi-channel connector module comprising: a connector housing thatforms a whole body; a plurality of connectors for electrical connectionto transmit various physiological signals detected from the external toan external physiological signal detection apparatus, wherein a portionof the connector is exposed on one side of the connector housing; and apower supply unit for supplying power to an external physiologicalsignals detection module, wherein the power supply unit is arrangedinside the connector housing and electrically connected to the connectorto detect the various physiological signals.
 2. The multi-channelconnector module according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unitcomprises at least one rechargeable battery.
 3. The multi-channelconnector module according to claim 2, further comprising a statedisplay unit for monitoring a charging state of the battery.
 4. Themulti-channel connector module according to claim 2, further comprisinga power supply connector for connecting an external power to the batteryto supplement the power shortage of battery with the external power whenthe battery is low on power.
 5. A physiological signal detectionapparatus comprising: the plurality of physiological signal detectionmodules for detecting various physiological signals, each physiologicalsignal detection module using an electrode in contact with the userskin; and a multi-channel module for electrical connection to transmitthe various physiological signals detected from the electrode to theexternal physiological signal detection apparatus, wherein thephysiological signal detection module comprising: an electrode incontact with a user skin to detect various physiological signals; andelectrode housing detachably connected to the electrode and having aprinted circuit board (PCB) mounted with various circuit for matchingimpedance between the skin and the electrode; and a heating memberinterposed between the electrode and the electrode housing, and beingsupplied with an external power to increase the temperature of theelectrode to a certain degree, and wherein the multi-channel connectormodule comprising: a connector housing that forms a whole body; aplurality of connectors for electrical connection to transmit variousphysiological signals detected from the external to an externalphysiological signal detection apparatus, wherein a portion of theconnector is exposed on one side of the connector housing; and a powersupply unit for supplying power to an external physiological signaldetection module, wherein the power supply unit is arranged inside theconnector housing and electrically connected to the connector to detectthe various physiological signals.